I knew the woman who was killed in the last Manx Kart GP to be hosted at Peel. As far as I'm aware, this was the only fatality at the event in the 20 years it ran for. The only reason it was cancelled the following year and then has never ran since was not down to this incident. The event never made money. It was subsidised by the government's department of tourism due to the competitors it bought over from the UK. There was also a change for the IOMKRA, the club hosting it. Previously the money the club made during the year was put towards the cost of running peel but now they were trying to raise funds for a purpose-built track so we didn't have to race on the airfield anymore. This meant the government would have to provide more financial support and didn't.
Saying someone being killed would be really bad publicity for the sport is nonsense to be honest. Anyone serious about motorsport understands the dangers and that sadly, accidents are part of that danger. Did everyone stop watching formula 1 after imola 94? Did everyone stop watching the WRC after Michael Park was killed? Do people stop coming to the Isle of Man TT because several bikers are killed each year?
I personally think the Peel GP coming back would be brilliant, not only for competitors wanting something different but would certainly be a boost for our club as at its peak, more than half the members raced with us purely so they could do peel.
A UK series would be good but would probably require a substantial sponsor (the likes of Red Bull, Monster etc) to make it happen
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